bull thistle

Cirsiumvulgare

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Weed Characteristics

Other names:

common thistle, spear thistle, bell thistle, bank thistle

Leaf type:

Broadleaf

Flowers:

Red-violet

Rough, scratchy leaves have deep lobes and sharp, stiff spines. Spines are also on stems. Young plants have a low, rosette of leaves. Classic tufted thistle flowers have a pear-shaped base of sharp spines. Grows 2 to 5 ft. tall, developing a thick taproot in its first year.